Side tilt mechanism for a selflevelling backhoe



March 5, 1963 R. n. scHwELLENBAcH 3,080,077

SIDE TILT MECHANISM FOR A SELFLEVELLING BCKHOE Filed June 23. 1960 2Sheets-Sheet' 1 l. ,IA 14 l. IA )A l; l. 4A 1.

AKA IA March 5, 1963 R. D. scHwELLENBAcH 3,080,077

SIDE TILT MECHANISM FOR A SELF-LEVELLING BACKHOE j 777% Zig/m@ UnitedStates Patent O Robert D. Schweiienleach. SiS Missouri Ave., Pierre, S.Dak. Filed June 23, 1950, Ser. No. 38,343 S Claims. (Cl. Zilli-138) Thisinvention relates to a self-leveling backhoe with side tilt mechanism anexcavating and scarifying apparatus which is a continuation in part ofmy co-pending application, Serial Number 849,398, now Patent No.3,034,671.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel excavating andscarifying apparatus, of inexpensive construction and operation, whichis arranged and constructed so that the implement may be readilycontrolled during operation thereof to permit the apparatus to functionin a more ehcient manner than any heretofore known devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel excavating andscarifying apparatus including a side-tilt mechanism for causing lateraltilting of the excavating implement to thereby permit excavation of asloping grade or to permit lateral levelling of the implement duringoperation of the apparatus upon uneven or sloping terrain.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel excavating landscarifying apparatus including an implement control linkage arranged andconstructed to permit the implement to be completely levelled during theentire earth working movement thereof.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like character references refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. l is a side elevational View of my novel excavating and scarifyingapparatus;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. l with certainparts thereof broken away and other concealed parts indicated by dottedline conguration; and

HG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the side tilt and bearingmechanism.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be seen that one embodiment of myinvention includes a self-propelled mobile carriage or vehicledesignated in its entirety by the reference numeral It and whichincludes a substantially at platform 2 and a cab 3. Carriage 1 is of thecrawler type and is provided with a cable drum mechanism 4 which isconnected to a source of power or engine 5' by a drive belt 6. Rotationof the engine 5 imparts rotative movement to the cable drum mechanism lto thereby effect winding and unwinding of cables wound thereon.

My novel excavating and scarifying apparatus also includes a mountingmechanism 7 mounted on the platform 2 for oscillating movement relativethereto and mounting mechanism 7 includes a substantially U-shapedmember 8 as best seen in FlGURES 2 and 3. This U-shaped mercber 8includes a pair of spaced apart ears 8a interconnected by a bight orinterconnecting portion 8b. An elongate pin 9 is aflixed to the rearmostsurface of the bight portion 8b and extends rearwardly therefrom as bestseen in FlG. 3. Pin 9 is journalled in a socket-type bracket lil whichis suitably fixed to the platform 2 by bolts and the like so that theU-snaped member is mounted for rotation or oscillating movement relativeto the platform of the carriage 1. The rearmost end of pin 9 has a levermember 11 integrally formed therewith and extending in upstandingrelation thereto and this lever member 11 is provided with a laterallyextending lug 12 adjacent the uppermost end thereof. Means are providedfor causing oscillating movement of the mounting mechanism 7 and B?Patented Mar. 5, i953 ice include a hydraulic ram 13 comprised of acylinder 14 and a piston rod 14a. The end of the piston rod 14a ispivotally connected to the lug 12 by means of a pivot pin 14!) and thecylinder i4 is pivotally connected to a bracket 15 by means of a pivot15a. Bracket 15, of course, is affixed to the uppermost surface ofplatform 2 and it will be seen that extension and retraction of thepiston rod 14a causes oscillating movement of the mounting mechanisms 7.

A pair of elongate support members 17 are tixedly connected to platform2 in substantially upright relationship and are interconnected adjacenttheir upper ends by transverse pin or shaft 1S. A sheave is rotatablymounted on shaft 1S in a manner substantially identical to thearrangement in my co-pending application, Serial Number 849,- 398.Referring again to FIG. 3 it will be seen that a transversely extendingshaft 16 extends through the ears lla of the mounting mechanism 7 and apair of laterally spaced upright arms 20 are pivotally mounted on thisshaft 16 for fore and aft rocking movement relative thereto. Power meansare provided for rocking arms 20 and include a hydraulic ram 21pivotally secured to the uppermost end portions of lever member 11 bypivot pin 11a and having its piston rods 21a pivotally connected theupright arms 2li in controlling relation therewith and causing pivotalmovement of the arm about shaft 16.

An elongate boom member 22 has one of its ends bifurcated to define apair of arms 23 disposed in straddling relation with respect to the ears8a of U-shaped member 8 and which `are journalled upon shaft 16 tothereby permit pivoting of the boom in a substantially vertical plane.Another elongate member or levelling arm 24 is positioned above andsubstantially parallel with boom 22 and also has one of its endsbifurcated to deline a pair of arms 25 which are pivotally connected toupright arms 20 by pivot pin 26. lt will be noted that the free end ofpiston rod 21a is actually pivotally connected to this pivot pin 26 forcontrolling pivotal movement of the arm 20 and that levelling arm 24 istherefore swingable with vboom 22 in a vertical plane.

My novel excavating scarifying apparatus also includes an L-shaped frame27 wh-ich is pivotally connected to the respective outer endsof boom 22yand levering arm 24 and includes a pair of laterally spaced verticallegs 28 each having an elongate horizontal leg 29 formed integrallytherewith. Horizontal legs 29 are connected at their rear ends by atransverse bar Sti and are connected adjacent their respective frontends by front-transverse bar 36a. Boom 22 is pivotally secured toL-shaped frame 27 by transverse pivot pin 31 extending between the lowerportions of vertical leg 2S and levelling arm 24 is secured to frame 27by transverse pivot pin 32 extending between the upper portions ofvertical legs 28. lt will De noted that upright arms 20, U-shaped frame27, levelling arm 24 and boom 22 define a parallelogram whereby thehorizontal legs 29 of L-shaped frame 27 are maintained in asubstantially horizontal relationship throughout the vertical swingingmovement of the boom and levelling arm. i

The particular construction and operation of the L-shaped frame 27 isessentially identica-l to that of my `co-pending application, SerialNumber 849,398 and it will, therefore, be seen that the horizontal legs29 of L-shaped frame 27 are each provided with laterally extending lugs33 positioned intermediate the ends thereof. A clipper stick, generallydesignated 35, includes a pair of links 36 in the form of bell cranksand each is pivoted adjacent its upper end to one of the lugs 33. Eachof .the links of bell cranks 36 includes an elongate arm portion 37 anda relatively shorter arm portion 38. A cross pin 39 extends between andis journalled for rotation in the upper ends of the shorter arm portions38.

A pair of sheave-supporting arms 40 are aixed to cross pins 39 and areinterconnected adjacent their upper ends by pin 41 upon which -a sheave42 is journal-led. Thus, the supporting arms 40 are secured to clipperVstick 35 to improve the pivotal movement rela-tive thereto.

The lower ends of links 36 are each journalled upon a cross pin 43 whichis alixed to a scoop-type bucket 44. Scoop 44 is of the conventionaltype and is provided with a plurality of teeth 44a and functions as anexcavating or loading type implement.

A s heave 45 is secured to scoop 44 and extends rearwar-diy and upwardlytherefrom .and a cable supporting fsheave 46 lis rotatably mounted onboom 22 by pin 46a best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. Another cable-supportlngsheave 47 is mounted for rotation about shaft 47a and cooperates withsheaves 45 and 46 for supporting a cable to be described hereinbelow.

It is pointed out lthat the legs Z9 of frame 27 are in the form ofchannels in cross sectional shape and define a pair of opposed tracks.An elongatel screw 48 extends between and is journalled for rotation inrear transverse bar 30 and front transverse bar 36a. A traveling nut 49has a threaded bore and threadedly engages elongate screw element 48 formovement thereon. Although not clearly shown in the drawings, nut 49 isprovided with a Pair of rollers which are positioned in the tracksdefined b Y ,the horizontal legs 29 for longitudinal shifting relafivethereto in the manner of my co-pending applica-tion.

A hydraulic motor 50 is secured to rear transverse bar 30 and isdrivingly connected to screw element 4S for rotating the same. Hydraulicmotor 50 is provided with an inlet conduit 51 and anroutlet conduit 52each 0f which extends into the cab of the carriage whereby suit- 'ablecontrols, not shown, are provided.

An implement control link or rod 53 has its upper end bifurcated as at54 which is pivotally secured to the traveling nut 49. The lower end ofimplement control rod 553 is pivotally secured to a pin 55 extendingbetween a 'pair of lugs 56 which are axed to scoop 44. Referring now toFIG. 1, it will be seen that the pivotal connection between control rod53 and Iscoop 44 is positioned forwardly of the pivotal connectionbetween the dipper stick 35 and scoop 44. A cable 57 has one end thereofsecured to one of the uprights 17 as at 58 and is trained over andsupported by sheaves 40 and has the other end Wound upon cable drummechanism 4 as seen in FIG. 1. VCable 57 serves to raise and lower boom22 and levelling arm 24 in a vertical plane and further functions toorient dipper stick 35. Another cable Si? has one end thereof axed toboom 22 as at 60 and is trained over sheaves 45, 46 andV 47 alsoY showninFIG. l.v Cable 59 also has one end thereof wound upon drum mechanism 4and serves to drag or Vpull the scoop rearwardly thus causing pivotingof dipper stick 35. lt is pointed out that a hydraulic system may beemployed for operating the apparatus'ratherl than :the cablevarrangement shown.Y

Although the operation ofthe apparatus is essentially A pivot of thecontrol rod is rearwardly ofthe axis of pivot of the dipper stick, theYframe member 27 scoop 44, dipper stick 35 and control rod 53 define asecond Yparallelogram linkage which cooperates with the firstV mentionedparallelogram linkage to cause the movement of the implement to besubstantially straight from a point of initial contact with the Yearthto a point lwhen the implement is elevated and this particularpredetermined horizontal relationship with the implement will bemaintained throughout the movement of the entire mechanism. This permitsthe implement to work evenly over a substantially wide range which is asubstantially different eiect than that of the arcuate movement of animplement used on conventional backhoe apparatus. A level indicator ispreferably fixed to the upper end of one of the arms 26 to permit theoperator to know the precise dispos-ition of the scoop when he is unableto visually see the scoop. Pivotal movement of the arms 20 by extensionor retraction of piston rod 21a is necessary only to permit the supportarms Ztl to be levelled when 'the carriage is disposed upon uneventerrain and is inclined along its longitudinal axis from front to rear.It will, therefore, be noted that the piston rod 21a will be extended tomove the upper end of the upstanding -arms 2G forwardly or outwardlyfrom the Vcarriage 1 when .the carriage is disposed on an upwardlysloping surface and the piston rod 21a will be retracted when theconverse situation prevails.

It is again pointed out that when it is desirable to use my apparatus asthe conventional backhoe, actuating nut 49 is moved rearwardly until thepivotal of the control rod 53 is substantially co-axial with the pivotalaxis of the dipper stick 35 whereby the implement will describe a.substantially vertical `arc in its movement.

To permit a vertical descent of the shovel or vertical digging with theimplement, the hydraulic motor 50 is energized to drive yactuating screw48 which in turn imparts rectilinear movement to travelling nut y49 sothat the pivotal axis of rthe control rod 53 is moved substantiallyrearwardly of the axis .of pivot of the dipper stick. The implement maybe lowered in a substantially vertical plane as clearly illustrated `anddescribed in my co-pending application Serial Number 849,398.

In addition to the aforementioned controls, it will be noted that auniquely constructed mounting mechanism 7 permits lateral levelling ofthe implement 44 when, for example, excavating or scarifying is beingdone on a sloping surface. Extension and retraction of piston rod 14a ofhydraulic ram 13 permits oscillating movement of the entire implementsupport linkage about `Ian axis which extends substantially normal tothe axis of pivot of the boom 22 and levelling arm 24. It will be notedthat tilting of the mounting mechanism 7 causes the boom and levellingarm to pivot about their longitudinal `axis so that lateral levelling ofthe implement may Yibe very easily and quickly accomplished. It is alsopointed .out that the uniquely constructed mounting mechanism 7 alsopermits an implement to be -tilted to permit yan inclined cut to be madeeven though the surface is substantially level.

It is to be understood that other implements besides a scoop may be usedin my apparatus such as backll blades, slope drags and frost and hardpan ripper tooth attachments. It is also pointed out that implementsperforming trenches may be utilized with my apparatus to permit my`apparatus to function as a trenching machine.

It will, therefore, be noted from the preceding paragraphs, that I haveprovided a novel earth working apparatus which is arranged andconstructed not only to permit the implement to be maintained in apredetermined position with regard to `i-ts longitudinal axis but alsoreadily permits the implement to be maintained in a predeterminedposition with regard to its transverse axis` it will, therefore, beAnoted :that my novel earth working apparents is so arranged andconstructed that the implement may excavate or .scarify `on an evengrade over a substantially wide range.

It will also be noted .that my apparatus is arranged and constructed tobe quickly adjusted during the operation thereof to change the angle of`attack of the implement from a position for even grading to a positionto Veffect prying action on embedded objects. It will also be noted thatthe uniquely constructed mounting mechanism of my apparatus readilypermits lateral levell-ing of the implement regardless of the unevennessof the terrain and also permits cutting of a sloped surface if it is sodesired.

Thus it will be seen from the foregoing description that I have provideda lnovel earth working apparatus which is so arranged and constructedthat the implement may be caused .to function in a more eicient mannerthan any devices heretofore known.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details arrangement and proportions of the various partswithout departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Excavating apparatus comprising a mobile carriage, mounting mechanismpivotally mounted on said carriage for pivotal movement relativethereto, an upper and a lower elongate member disposed in substantiallyparallel relation and each having an end Ithereof pivotally connected tosaid mounting mechanism for pivotal movement relative thereto aboutsubstantially horizontal axes and in a vertical plane, a frame pivotallyconnected to said members at their respective other ends, a dipper stickhingedly connected at one end thereof to said frame for fore and aftrock-ing about =a horizontal axis, an implement pivotally connected tothe Aother end of said dipper stick, means for raising and lowering saidmembers and for lorienting said dipper stick, means connected with saidimplement for rocking said dipper stock, a link having one end thereofpivotally connected to said implement, pivot mechanism pivotallyconnected to the other end of said link and being shiftably mounted oversaid frame for reciprocating movement relative thereto between a pointspaced rearwardly of the dipper stick axis of pivot and a pointsubstantially co-axial with said dipper stick axis of pivot, andactuating means operatively connected to said mounting mechanism andbeing operable to cause pivoting movement of said mounting mechanismabout an axis extending substantially normal to the axis of pivot ofsaid elongate members.

2. The structure defined in claim l fwherein the actuating meanscomprises a hydraulic ram mounted on said carriage.

3. Excavating apparatus comprising a mobile carriage, a mountingmechanism pivotally mounted on said oarriage for pivoting movementrelative Ithereto, a boom pivotally connected at one end thereof to saidmounting mechanism for pivoting movement relative thereto about asubstantially horizontal axis, a levelling arm positioned above andsubstantially parallel to said boom and being pivotally connected at oneend thereof with said mounting mechanism, said boom and levelling armextending forwardly of said carriage and being swingable in a verticalplane, a frame pivotally connected to said members at their respectiveother ends, a dipper stick hingedly connected at one end thereof to saidframe for fore and aft rocking about a horizontal axis, an implementpivotally connected to the other end of said dipper stick, means forraising and lowering said members Iand for orienting said dipper stick,means connected with said implement for rocking said dipper stick, an.implement control link having one end thereof pivotally connected tosaid implement, a pivot element pivotally connected to the other end lofsaid link Iand mounted for longitudinal reciprocating shifting on saidframe, power means operatively connected with said pivot element forshifting said element rearwardly on said frame from a point spacedforwardly of said dipper stick taxis of pivot to a point spacedsubstanti'ally rearwardly of the dipper stick axis of pivot, andadditional power means for causing said mounting mechanism to pivotabout an axis extending substantially normal to the axis of pivot ofsaid boom and levelling arm.

4. Excavating apparatus comprising a mobile carriage, a mountingmechanism pivotally mounted on said carriage for pivotal movementrelative thereto, an elongate arm pivotally connected in upstandingrelation to said mounting mechanism for fore and aft rocking about asubstantially horizontal axis, power means connected to said upright armfor causing fore and aft rocking thereof, a boom having one end thereofpivotally connected to said carriage, an elongate levelling a-rm havingan end thereof pivotally connected to said upright arm and beingpositioned above and substantially parallel to said boom, said levellingarm and boom being swingable in a vertical plane and extending forwardlyof said carriage, a frame pivotally connected to said boom and levellingarm at their respective other ends, a dipper stick connected at one endthereof to said frame for fore and aft rocking movement about ahorizontal axis, an implement pivotally connected to the other end ofsaid dipper stick, means for raising and lowering `said boom members andfor orienting said dipper stick, means connected with said implement forrocking said dipper stick, an implement control link having one endthereof connected to said implement, power actuated pivot means mountingthe other end of said link for reciprocating movement on said framebetween a point spaced forwardly of the dipper stick axis of pivot to apoint spaced `substantially rearwardly of the dipper stick axis ofpivot, power means for oscillating said mounting mechanism on saidcarriage about an axis extending substantially normal to the axes ofpivot of said boom and levelling arm.

5. The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said power means forcausing pivotal movement of said upright arm comprises a hydraulic rampivotally mounted on said mounting mechanism.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,693,809 Clutter Dec. 4, 1928 2,847,134 State Aug. 12, 1958 FOREIGNPATENTS 209,410 Australia July 10, 1957 UNITED STATES PATENT oEETCECERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent No. 3,080,077 March 5, 1963 Robert D.Schwellenbach It is hereby certified that error appears in the abovelfluunberec' patent requiring correction and that the said LettersPatent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, line 29, for "stock" read stick; line 32,

for "over" read on Signed and sealed this 24th day of September 1963.

I (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. swIDER y DAVID L- LADD Commissioner of Patents AttestingOfficer

1. EXCAVATING APPARATUS COMPRISING A MOBILE CARRIAGE, MOUNTING MECHANISM PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIAGE FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO, AN UPPER AND A LOWER ELONGATE MEMBER DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATION AND EACH HAVING AN END THEREOF PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID MOUNTING MECHANISM FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO ABOUT SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL AXES AND IN A VERTICAL PLANE, A FRAME PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID MEMBERS AT THEIR RESPECTIVE OTHER ENDS, A DIPPER STICK HINGEDLY CONNECTED AT ONE END THEREOF TO SAID FRAME FOR FORE AND AFT ROCKING ABOUT A HORIZONTAL AXIS, AN IMPLEMENT PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE OTHER END OF SAID DIPPER STICK, MEANS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING SAID MEMBERS AND FOR ORIENTING SAID DIPPER STICK, MEANS CONNECTED WITH SAID IMPLEMENT FOR ROCKING SAID DIPPER STOCK, A LINK HAVING ONE END THEREOF PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID IMPLEMENT, PIVOT MECHANISM PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE OTHER END OF SAID LINK AND BEING SHIFTABLY MOUNTED OVER SAID FRAME FOR RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO BETWEEN A POINT SPACED REARWARDLY OF THE DIPPER STICK AXIS OF PIVOT AND A POINT SUBSTANTIALLY CO-AXIAL WITH SAID DIPPER STICK AXIS OF PIVOT, AND ACTUATING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID MOUNTING MECHANISM AND BEING OPERABLE TO CAUSE PIVOTING MOVEMENT OF SAID MOUNTING MECHANISM ABOUT AN AXIS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY NORMAL TO THE AXIS OF PIVOT OF SAID ELONGATE MEMBERS. 